Today is a sea day. Quite a lovely one, from the looks of it.
Today we have the “Mandatory UK Face-to-Face Immigration Inspection for all Guests.” This always strikes me as strange thing since we already had to have a valid ETA before we even got on the ship in Finland, so I asked (since the guy seemed super friendly) and he explained that the cruise line check-in systems are not connected to the UK immigration data base the way that airline systems are. So this is a check of every single passenger to make sure they have an ETA and are eligible to enter the UK. Makes sense I guess.
They called by group number (every key card has a group number on it) and then you just head to the Stardust and show your passport to one of the two fellows sitting at a table. It seemed very casual. In hindsite, I’m sure they had some sort of scanner or something there, but he just looked at our passports, where we were flying from in the UK, and where our final destination was.
I couldn’t figure out where they came from, we are in the middle of nowhere so it’s not like a pilot boat could have dropped them off, and I doubt they get a free cruise, so I asked again, and was told that they board the boat on the last foreign stop before the UK, stay in a cabin like anyone else, and then leave when the ship docks in the UK with everyone else. The table they were sitting at is considered an actual border control, so when the ship docks in the UK, everyone can just leave, instead of everyone trying to get though border control at the same time, on land.
After that was done we decided to go to the art auction. They are always a fun way to spend an hour or so, and they ply you with mimosa’s, hoping, I suppose, that maybe someday someone will actually buy that masterpiece (because they always have at least one piece of art by one of the masters, this cruise had a Picasso)
The auctioneer is usually really funny, and also informative and each piece is auctioned off super quick, like maybe a minute per piece, so you have no time to get bored. They have draws and raffles throughout and so many different types of work to see. We always enjoy it on a sea day.
We won a little print in the raffle.
It was a pretty lazy day, did some walking around the outside of the ship for some fresh air, watched some trivia games, checked out the shops for last minute deals, ate far too much. Spent some time in the casino…no luck..
I did find 2 ducks though, apparently hiding ducks is quite the thing. I guess it’s like painting rocks and hiding them in the forest, it’s just something that people do to give a little joy to others. The bigger one was stashed behind the napkin holder on out table, and the wee one (who I set on a nickel so you can see the size…so cute!) was tucked in a corner in an elevator.
The entertainment was the comedian/magician that we had seen before, but it was a different show and was much funnier than last time.
Tomorrow we have to start to pack up as it will be the last day on the ship.
Goodnight.
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